Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today, I talked about the need for residential treatment programs here in the Northwest Territories that focus in on youth and family. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and Social Services was on this side of the House last term, so she is well aware that a motion that went forward that supported the treatment centre built in Yellowknife and in Inuvik and, of course, underlying all of that, not only being the Minister now, she had the experience of being the chair of the Social Programs so she understands the need of these treatment centres. Can the Minister tell this House how many people this government is sending south for treatment, specifically to youth, families, etcetera? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Return To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that I listened to the statement very carefully, and I could not agree more with the Member on the things that he would like to work on as a Member and he would like the government to do. I would love to see all that he has mentioned there. I am hoping that he will be the champion for this cause on the other side of the floor to get this done, Mr. Speaker. As the House is aware, we are in the process of doing the strategic planning. I think the need to do some comprehensive strategy and more focussed resource and attention on this matter is very important. I look forward to working through that process and getting the help from the Member to achieve that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I wish the Minister would be the champion of this program as opposed to the Member having to be the champion of this program. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me how much money are we spending each year, every year, for the last several years sending people down south for treatment? I want to make sure we could maybe put this investment in the Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Mr. Speaker, we do have a consensus government, and we need to work together to achieve this. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have an exact dollar figure on the money that we spend down south for the treatment. I will be happy to get that specific information and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where is it on the departmental priority list, the internal priority list, Mr. Speaker, on establishing a treatment centre here in Yellowknife and in Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we had an exchange a couple of days ago, treatment programs, and to have as much as possible in as many areas as possible especially as well as having presence of services available in our small communities. So the coverage of locations is important. Having treatment centres are important. But it’s also important to have enhanced programs in all spectrums dealing with addictions and mental health issues on prevention, on before care, aftercare, and treatment centre program is just part of that. So definitely we have to look at it from a comprehensive point of view, and this is absolutely a very important issue for me as a Minister and the department, and I’m hoping that for the Caucus, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I heard about almost every priority in the world under that sort of umbrella of priorities. Mr. Speaker, I want to hear clearly where is the priority to build a treatment centre in Yellowknife and Inuvik, and can the Minister commit to bringing something clearly back to this House before February? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 72-16(1): Northern Addictions Treatment Centres

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Member is well aware, and everybody here is well aware, that we have just gone through a three-day Caucus planning session. We are to conclude that by the conclusion of next week. Coming out of that we will make priorities, as a Legislature, as to where that sort of project will fit into our overall objectives. So it will be very premature on my part to speak about that specifically because it involves capital planning process, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.